The Panthers took control of the game early and built a 27-18 lead by halftime. They stretched it to 43-30 at the start of the fourth quarter and held off a 25-point scoring rally by the Jaguars in the final stanza.

John Fain and Nick Byrd put in 16 and 14 points respectively to help the Jaguars stay in the game.

Byrd hit four 3-pointers for East Gadsden while Archie Albritton hit three 3-pointers for the Panthers.

East Gadsden’s John Fain draws a crowd as he goes to the basket for a shot. Photos by Byron Spires

East Gadsden played the game without inside big man Bobby Dukes.

Both teams play in their respective district tournaments this week.

The Jaguars will host their event and will meet Madison in a semi-final event Friday.

West Gadsden will play their tournament in Bristol and meet the winner of the Franklin County-Bozeman game in a semi-final contest Friday.

SUTTON SCORES
43 IN LOSS TO
NORTH FLORIDA
Ezekiel Sutton kept the Tallavana boys’ basketball team in the contest the whole game scoring 43 points in a Lion 77-62 loss to North Florida at the Eagles Gym last Friday night.

Sutton and North Florida’s Zach McLemore and Melvin Ray put on scoring shows as McLemore scored 30 points and Ray popped in 25.